Monthly Archives: March 2018

The Importance of Reading Aloud – Guest Post

Thank you Norah Colvin at readilearn for having me as a guest.  I’m so glad you asked.  It was a pleasure. The Importance of Reading Aloud — A Guest Post by Jennie Fitzkee Jennie, a passionate and inspirational teacher, has … Continue reading

Posted in books, chapter reading, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, Jim Trelease, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

“Katy and the Big Snow”…and So Much More

Katy and the Big Snow, by Virginia Lee Burton is a classic children’s book that continues to be beloved today.  After three nor’easter snow storms these past two week, it was the perfect read.  The book never gets old, children … Continue reading

Posted in Book Review, children's books, Early Education, geography, Learning About the World, picture stories, reading, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Parenting Illustrated

Parenting and Humor. Thank you, Mitch Teemley! Mitch Teemley Raising a Toddler: Raising a Teenager: Parent’s School Experience: Child’s School Experience: Parent’s Goals for Teenager: Teenager’s Goals: Off to College! After College: Any Questions? View original post

Posted in Uncategorized | 28 Comments

Meeting Jane Yolen at the Eric Carle Museum

Jane Yolen spoke to teachers, librarians and writers yesterday at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.  She has just published her 365th book.  Really.  Sold out event.  I knew I had to be there because … Continue reading

Posted in Author interview, children's books, Early Education, Eric Carle, Inspiration, museums, picture books, reading, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 59 Comments

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” – Fred Rogers

Originally posted on Children Are Our Future Now!:
Children Are Our Future Now! View original post

Posted in Uncategorized | 26 Comments

How Not to Become a Troubled School Shooter

Make Friends Be Kind Share Play Read Books, Together Laugh Know That Crying Lets The Hurt Come Out Tell Stories, Real and Make Believe Tell your Mom When You Feel Angry Say Please and Thank You Ask For Help Accept … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Kindness, Love, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , | 69 Comments

Teaching kids to be creative

Originally posted on Dayne Sislen Children's Book Illustration:
If trends continue, most jobs in the future will be taken over by robots. Robots perform repetitious jobs very well. They can even be programmed to perform complicated tasks that require much learning and…

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

My Mother’s Fairy Tales

My mother gave me her childhood book of fairy tales when my children were young.  This wasn’t a book she had ever shown me, or my brother and sisters.  I think it was my teaching and my newfound love of … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Imagination, reading, self esteem, storytelling, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 89 Comments

From “The Three Billy Goats Gruff” to Dr. Seuss

This week began with National Fairy Tale Day and ended with Dr. Seuss’s birthday.  I was in my glory.  So were the children. We voted on our favorite fairy tale.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff won, hands-down.  This was a … Continue reading

Posted in books, children's books, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, picture books, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 69 Comments

The Power of “Yet”

“Yet” has quickly become one of our favorite words this year.  It’s the most powerful word in my classroom.  As children learn and grow, it is a constant process of trying, over and over again.  Saying “Practice makes perfect” can … Continue reading

Posted in Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, music, self esteem, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 51 Comments